This clip is all about how the American Dream has become very materialistic and is all about instant gratification rather than hard work.
What is the American Dream? How does Gatsby represent this dream? Does
the novel praise or condemn Gatsby's dream? Has the American dream changesince Gatsby's time?
The American Dream is being successful and happy. To some, this is acquiring a job and making lots of money. To others, it is being loved. For immigrants it was making it to the "land of opportunity" and to be able to make their own decisicions, choose their own religion and to create a new life. The American Dream takes many different forms depending on the person who wants to accomplish it. Gatsby represents this dream with his large house and abundant amounts of money. The novel shows that when a person has a lot of material possessions, like Gatsby's large house and belongings, it does not necessarily make them happy. Gatsby was without friends, even at his enormous parties, and without a girl who loved him. Since Gatsby's time, the American Dream has not changed. The type of possessions may be more technologically advanced, but becoming successful is still the ultimate goal.
What is Nick Carraway's role in the novel? Consider Nick's father's advice in chapter one: "Whenever you feel like
criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." Doestelling the story from Nick's point of view make it more believable?
Nick Carraway is the narrator of the novel. The advice Nick's father gave him would make one believe that he would tell the story through an honest perspective. But, it is almost impossible to tell a story without some sort of bias. He is a good narrator though, because when Nick first meets Gatsby, he pushes aside most of the rumors he hears about him. "Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once" (44). Everyone is a little judgmental, but Nick displays characteristics that one should admire because he does not immediately jump to conclusions.
What makes The Great Gatsby a classic novel? Why has it maintained its place in American literature?
This novel is the classic story of having lots of material possessions, being rich, having a huge house, and still not being happy. This story teaches us that the only way to achieve happiness is to be surrounded with people who love you. It has maintained its place in American literature because it exemplifies the American Dream and how the American Dream does not have to be the goal of getting rich.
World View
The Great Gatsby teaches us that the American Dream does not necessarily have to be becoming rich, owning a big house, and purchasing many material possessions. The American Dream is all about being happy. In order to achieve true happiness, one needs to surround themselves with people who love them. Loneliness is something that money can never overcome. We have come to the conclusion that our world is obsessed with money and needs to focus more on friends and family. People need to put more effort into making strong relationships rather than making lots of money. It is entirely possible to have little money but still be extremely happy because one has loving friends and family to support them.
Quotes that represent our thinking...
"This is an unusual party for me. I haven't even seen the host." (47)
Gatsby doesn't make appearances at his own parties which shows he doesn't really have friends
"He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way...and distinguished nothing except a single green light." (26)
This shows how Gatsby is reaching out to achieve his goal or dream.
"...a fresh, green breast of the new world." (180)
In this quote Nick is referring to an immigrant's dream of coming to America.
By F. Scott Fitzgerald
This clip is all about how the American Dream has become very materialistic and is all about instant gratification rather than hard work.
What is the American Dream? How does Gatsby represent this dream? Does
the novel praise or condemn Gatsby's dream? Has the American dream change since Gatsby's time?
The American Dream is being successful and happy. To some, this is acquiring a job and making lots of money. To others, it is being loved. For immigrants it was making it to the "land of opportunity" and to be able to make their own decisicions, choose their own religion and to create a new life. The American Dream takes many different forms depending on the person who wants to accomplish it. Gatsby represents this dream with his large house and abundant amounts of money. The novel shows that when a person has a lot of material possessions, like Gatsby's large house and belongings, it does not necessarily make them happy. Gatsby was without friends, even at his enormous parties, and without a girl who loved him. Since Gatsby's time, the American Dream has not changed. The type of possessions may be more technologically advanced, but becoming successful is still the ultimate goal.
What is Nick Carraway's role in the novel? Consider Nick's father's advice in chapter one: "Whenever you feel like
criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." Does telling the story from Nick's point of view make it more believable?
Nick Carraway is the narrator of the novel. The advice Nick's father gave him would make one believe that he would tell the story through an honest perspective. But, it is almost impossible to tell a story without some sort of bias. He is a good narrator though, because when Nick first meets Gatsby, he pushes aside most of the rumors he hears about him. "Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once" (44). Everyone is a little judgmental, but Nick displays characteristics that one should admire because he does not immediately jump to conclusions.
What makes The Great Gatsby a classic novel? Why has it maintained its place in American literature?
This novel is the classic story of having lots of material possessions, being rich, having a huge house, and still not being happy. This story teaches us that the only way to achieve happiness is to be surrounded with people who love you. It has maintained its place in American literature because it exemplifies the American Dream and how the American Dream does not have to be the goal of getting rich.
World View
The Great Gatsby teaches us that the American Dream does not necessarily have to be becoming rich, owning a big house, and purchasing many material possessions. The American Dream is all about being happy. In order to achieve true happiness, one needs to surround themselves with people who love them. Loneliness is something that money can never overcome. We have come to the conclusion that our world is obsessed with money and needs to focus more on friends and family. People need to put more effort into making strong relationships rather than making lots of money. It is entirely possible to have little money but still be extremely happy because one has loving friends and family to support them.
Quotes that represent our thinking...
"This is an unusual party for me. I haven't even seen the host." (47)
Gatsby doesn't make appearances at his own parties which shows he doesn't really have friends
"He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way...and distinguished nothing except a single green light." (26)
This shows how Gatsby is reaching out to achieve his goal or dream.
"...a fresh, green breast of the new world." (180)
In this quote Nick is referring to an immigrant's dream of coming to America.
Works Cited
Photograph. Web. 15 Mar. 2010. < http://nobodysperfectmom.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/robert-redford1.jpg>.
Photograph. Web. 15 Mar. 2010. < http://www.rsjo.com/gatsby2005.jpg >.
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 2004. Print.
Earning the American Dream. 18 June 2006. Web. 17 Mar. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCxJRrHyGdg>.